Denny Hamlin controlled the opening segment of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway, leading from the pole and winning Stage 1. Hamlin led 65 of the first 73 laps and stayed out front under green flag conditions.
The NASCAR Cup Series event opened without a caution, and only two drivers led laps in the opening stage. William Byron ran second for most of the segment, while Josh Berry held third. The early pace showed clear control from Hamlin, who maintained track position and clean air throughout the run.
Denny Hamlin Controls Early NASCAR Cup Series Pace
Hamlin started from the pole and led the field to green on Lap 1. He cleared Byron entering Turn 2 and quickly settled into the lead. The NASCAR Cup Series field formed a single line early as drivers focused on tire wear and track position.
By Lap 8, Hamlin had led every lap. He posted the fastest lap of the race at 19.788 seconds and maintained the best average running position. He stayed consistent through the opening run and kept a small gap over Byron.
As the race moved past Lap 20, Hamlin continued to lead while working through early traffic. The gap between the top two drivers remained under one second. Berry stayed in third and held position without pressure from behind.
By Lap 32, Hamlin still led Byron as both drivers approached slower cars. The leaders stayed close, but no pass was made at that point.
Martinsville Speedway Sees Cup Series Lead Change Before Hamlin Responds
On Lap 39, Byron used traffic to his advantage. As Hamlin worked to lap John Hunter Nemechek, Byron moved alongside on the frontstretch and completed the pass in Turn 2. This marked the first lead change of the NASCAR Cup Series race.
Byron led briefly and kept a steady pace at the front. However, Hamlin stayed close and remained within striking distance. Just five laps later, on Lap 44, Hamlin passed Byron to regain the lead.
After retaking the top spot, Hamlin returned to a steady rhythm. He closed his gap and controlled the race again under green-flag conditions. The field remained clean, and no caution slowed the pace through the first stage.
Hamlin Wins NASCAR Cup Series Stage 1 at Martinsville Speedway
As the race reached Lap 73, Hamlin secured the Stage 1 win in the NASCAR Cup Series event. Byron finished second, while Berry crossed the line in third. Ty Gibbs finished fourth, and Austin Cindric completed the top five.
Drivers continued to battle for position behind the leaders. Gibbs passed Cindric for fourth on Lap 68 in Turn 2. Earlier in the race, Cindric passed Gibbs on Lap 20, indicating continued movement within the top five.
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway remained caution-free through the entire stage. There were two lead changes between Hamlin and Byron. Hamlin also recorded 21 fastest laps and stayed inside the top five for all 73 laps.
Hamlin’s performance set the tone for the race as the field moved into the next stage.
NASCAR Cup Series: Denny Hamlin Dominates Early, Wins Stage 1 at Martinsville Speedway